In such a historical hoops moment, one hearkens back to the days gone by.

Isiah Thomas appeared on David Letterman wearing a purple dino jacket. Damon Stoudamire was booed at SkyDome when the Raptors made their first ever draft pick. Oliver Miller took liberties with Shawn Bradley in the Raptors’ first-ever game, a pre-season tip against Philly, staged in Halifax.

Not many chroniclers of the team were around back in the day when Alvin Robertson scored the franchise’s first ever basket or when Ed Pinckney, the Raptors’ first ever captain, jumped ball with Yinka Dare.

With the franchise coming so far to reach this milestone, it’s virtually impossible not to recall the snapshots: Glen Grunwald addressing an unruly crowd at Maple Leaf Gardens following a truly regrettable season.

No one should ever forget the yeoman effort Brendan Malone put in as the first-ever head coach or how Butch Carter managed two stud athletic assets in Vince Carter and Tracy McGrady.

It’s hard to appreciate where the Raptors have been and by extension how much further this edition must now travel.

In many ways, Saturday’s Game 6 represents Toronto’s Game 7.

If the Raptors are truly worthy to play for an NBA final, and do take the time to digest the idea of being on the NBA’s biggest stage against the two-time defending champion Golden State Warriors, Saturday night must be their night.

As desperate as the Bucks will play, the Raptors must be even more desperate.

In Game 5, the predictable quick start for Milwaukee ensued as the home side jumped out to a 14-point lead, an advantage fuelled by the Bucks’ transition game aided by Toronto’s turnovers.

With a game on the line, the Bucks couldn’t control the boards and allowed second-chance opportunities.

When a basket was needed, Milwaukee couldn’t hold on to the basketball.

When they tried to extend the game, the Bucks didn’t get a whistle while trying to foul Kyle Lowry in the open court, leading to an uncontested dunk by Pascal Siakam.

It all imploded for the Bucks, who hadn’t endured a three-game losing streak all season until Games 3, 4 and 5 of this series.

Shockingly, the Raptors now have a chance in a close-out game as they attempt to win four straight against an opponent that went 8-1 in the previous two series, first against Detroit and then Boston.

The very first game in club history, the very first basket, the historic win at SkyDome when Michael Jordan and the mighty Bulls came to town, and now this, a first for a franchise that has never led 3-2 with a berth in the NBA finals at stake.

For what it’s worth, Thomas, one of the shrewdest and most astute basketball minds in the business, predicated a six-game series win by the Raptors when he appeared on NBA TV as the many talking heads began to break down the Bucks-Raps matchup.

When you think of a moment such as this you think of John Bitove and the Slaight Family, individuals who helped bring the Raptors to town.

When you think of Carter, another bright, sharp basketball mind, you think of how he helped engineer the draft-day trade that brought Vince Carter to town or how Butch Carter managed to convince Dell Curry to suit up for the Raptors.

The Curry era in Toronto allowed fans of the game to get a sneak peak of a little boy named Steph, who would drain shots pre-game at the arena once named the Air Canada Centre.

Imagine the scene if the Warriors happen to begin defence of their title if Game 1 in the NBA finals begins in Toronto, where one can only imagine the parade of past Raptors will either be in attendance or closely watching from home knowing each played a part in the team’s evolution.

One game, one moment, a time in Raptors basketball history that cannot be overlooked or taken for granted.

The Bucks, naturally and quite obviously, will have a lot to say about the outcome and whether this Eastern final goes the distance.

“We talk about the character of the group, the toughness and competitiveness of the group,” Bucks head coach Mike Budenholzer said following his team’s Game 5 setback. “It’s first to four.

“We have to go to Toronto and get a game. I think the group will be ready. They’ll fill their cup up and be ready to go.”

The man known as Bud saw most of his players play like duds, a list that began with Nikola Mirotic, dropped from the starting lineup. Milwaukee’s bench produced 15 points and two assists.

Khris Middleton recorded 10 rebounds and dished off 10 assists, but he managed only six points. If Milwaukee can’t score in bunches by draining threes, it cannot win because its halfcourt offence is not very good.

“Every game is different,” said Marc Gasol when quizzed by reporters post-game of what awaits in Game 6. “Every game has its own wrinkles. Every game goes its own way. You have to be ready for whatever is thrown at you.”

When you think of Raptors history, you’ll think of Kawhi Leonard’s remarkable run this spring.

“They were sending two or three bodies at him and kind of tilting the floor and making sure guys were loaded on him,” Kyle Lowry said of the Klaw. “He was making the right passes and we made some shots for him.“

As Lowry began to wind down his post-game availability he would twice refer to Leonard as a superstar.

The NBA is a star-driven league, but when spring arrives it’s a time when superstars take over games and series.

Toronto has never had a bona fide playoff superstar.

Now the Raptors have one and it’s the primary reason why the franchise is one win away from playing for its first ever NBA title.

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